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About Dowson Turco Lawyers

Meet our team

Stacey Dowson

MANAGING PARTNER

Admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1996, Stacey has worked across many areas of law and through various positions in private and community practice. Stacey has worked in numerous community legal centres and has also held the position of Director of Women’s Legal Resources. Stacey has also been a proud member of one of the board appointed committees of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board and held that position for 12 years. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Music Radio and a Bachelor of Laws. Immediately prior to starting her own legal practice, Dowson Solicitors, in 2003, Stacey was the Principal Solicitor at the University of Technology Sydney’s Law Centre. In 2008, Stacey joined forces with Mary Turco to create Dowson Turco Lawyers. Stacey is the Managing Partner at Dowson Turco.

At Dowson Turco, Stacey’s work is diverse. She acts for various clients in:

  • Family law and de facto matters for complex gay, lesbian, heterosexual and alternative relationships
  • Various employment disputes including restraint of trade enforcement and contract drafting
  • Marketing, trade practices, trademark infringement and commercial risk advice
  • Alternative dispute resolution, including conciliation through the Financial Ombudsman Services
  • Strata law advice, by-law drafting and strata dispute resolution
  • Estate litigation and planning including drafting simple and complex wills and acting in family provision claims
  • Criminal law, including both summary and indictable drug and traffic offences.

Stacey is a first class lawyer who is never afraid to fight for her clients’ rights. Red is her lipstick, fiery is her passion.

Mary Turco

SPECIAL COUNSEL

Mary was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1984. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW. After several years working in private and non-government legal practices, Mary started her own firm in 1991, Mary Turco Solicitor. She developed her high-level skill set in the areas of generalist property and family law. Mary maintains a thoroughly comprehensive network of peers in the community and is well-regarded as a professional, down-to-earth lawyer who advocates for her clients passionately and productively.

At Dowson Turco, Mary specialises in:

  • All kinds of general and complex property matters including conveyancing (purchase and sale), leasing and subdivision, in all Australian states and territories
  • Complex Off the Plan purchases and sales
  • Family law, including binding financial agreements, parenting plans, family provision claims, gay and lesbian relationships, asset protection and dispute resolution
  • Estate work, probate, letters of administration and general estate planning including the drafting of solid, comprehensive wills.

Mary is a sensitive, straight-shooting, deep-thinking and intelligent professional.

Nicholas Stewart

PARTNER

Nicholas heads up the criminal and human rights law teams at Dowson Turco. He joined the firm in January 2012 after working for a top tier firm as a corporate lawyer, and as in-house counsel at one of Australia’s largest telecommunications companies.

As leader of the DTL crime and litigation teams, Nicholas leads and supervises complex cases across serious indictable and summary crimes in the Local, District and Supreme Courts of NSW, as well as high profile defamation, professional reputation, and employment claims in the Federal Court of Australia. 

In crime, Nicholas takes carriage of serious and indictable matters including fraud, deception, defamation (which is a crime in NSW, if the conduct is malicious), carriage service offences, drug matters (including supply, possession, and production offences), assault matters, matters including common assault, affray and sexual assault, matters relating to sharing of intimate images and obscene exposure, and matters involving cybercrime. He has appeared in the Australian Crime Commission, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, the Supreme Court of NSW, the District Court of NSW (including the Walama List) and the Local Court of NSW, including the Children’s Court of NSW.

Nicholas works across all courts in Greater Sydney, primarily in the Downing Centre District and Local Courts, the Parramatta Justice Precinct, Waverley Local Court, Gosford Local and District Court, Manly Local Court, Sutherland and Newtown Local Courts.

Nicholas is the Vice President of New Theatre Properties, President at Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, a graduate of the Business and Human Rights Program (2018) of the International Bar Association and National Law Council of Australia, and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the Law Society of New South Wales, where he chairs the Women’s Advancement subcommittee.

Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws. In 2009 Nicholas was awarded the Elizabeth Hastings Memorial Human Rights Award and the UTS:LAW Alumni Association Award. In 2018 Nicholas was awarded the UTS Alumni Award for community contribution. Nicholas is an Adjunct Professional Fellow and a Friend of Distinction at the University of Technology Sydney Law Faculty.

Nicholas helped lead the civil society campaign to bring about an NSW Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into agency responses to LGBTQ hate crimes and murders in the 80s, 90s and 00s. He is now working on a push for a Commonwealth Royal Commission to investigate historical hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, across all Australian States and Territories.

Nicholas was awarded the Law Society of NSW’s President’s Medal in 2022. In 2023, Nicholas was awarded the joint ACON NSW President’s Award with other advocates: Steve Page, Duncan McNab, Sue Thompson, Rick Feneley, Greg Callaghan, Garry Wotherspoon, Stephen Tomsen, Jacqueline Milledge, Peter Rolfe, Steve Johnson and Daniel Glick. Most recently, Nicholas was appointed to the NSW Premier’s LGBTQI+ Advisory Council in 2024 for a two year term.

Brett Atkinson

Business Manager

With a background in people leadership, customer experience and operations within large corporate organisations, Brett’s career took a significant turn when he joined ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs. Here he consulted various organisations on their LGBTQIA+ inclusion journeys, driving LGBTQIA+ initiatives in Western Sydney and regional Australia.

His path to Dowson Turco began as an observer of the firm’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy, but it was a panel discussion he facilitated for Sydney World Pride in 2023 that brought him closer to DTL’s partners, leading to a strategic role in the firm.

Brett is passionate about enhancing customer and client experiences, re-engineering problems for better outcomes. He values the firm’s loud and proud LGBTQA+ identity, allowing him to be his authentic self while supporting the community and those who need help in the legal system.

Ruby Zhang

LAWYER

Born and raised in China, Ruby has an impressive background of legal studies, with a Master of Laws from King’s College London and a Juris Doctor from the University of Sydney. She was admitted to practice in China in 2021 and in New South Wales in 2024. We welcomed her to the DTL family law team in August 2025.

Having studied and worked across different legal systems, she brings a flexible and thoughtful approach to her work. Ruby is known for being persistent, practical, and calm under pressure. She doesn’t shy away from a challenge and approaches legal problems with a clear, solution-focused mindset. 

She is especially committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and understands the unique legal and personal challenges that can come with that. Ruby is proud to be part of a team that stands for inclusion, fairness, and equality.

At her core, Ruby is a determined and thoughtful lawyer. She doesn’t give up when things get tough and works hard to get the best possible outcome for her clients. 

Ran Jing

LAWYER

Ran has over two years of post-admission experience and has managed property transactions from start to finish, including drafting and negotiating contracts for sale and lease, advising on complex leasing matters, and representing clients in residential tenancy disputes before NCAT. He has worked closely with agents, developers and counsel on high-volume and high-value matters, and is known for his clear communication, attention to detail and practical, solutions-focused approach.

Prior to joining Dowson Turco Lawyers, Ran worked in property-focused legal practices where he also gained experience in immigration law, assisting clients with a range of visa applications including skilled, partner and parent visas. His broad experience allows him to provide well-rounded advice that is both legally sound and commercially informed.

Fluent in English and Mandarin, Ran is particularly committed to supporting clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and takes pride in delivering accessible, client-focused legal services.

Ran holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Technology Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from Taiyuan University of Technology. He is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Aaron Martano

Senior PARALEGAL

Aaron works closely with the criminal law team at Dowson Turco Lawyers to assist with administrative processes and client communications. Coming from a background in legal education, Aaron has a keen interest in furthering the understanding of Australia’s youth in relation to the struggles faced by people of queer or minority identities, and the way these issues are addressed by our system of law.

Aaron is devoted to making the legal profession a more diverse, approachable and accepting environment for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, and strives to reflect these values in his work at Dowson Turco Lawyers.

Joanne Sanders

PARALEGAL

Joanne is a caring and passionate soon-to-be lawyer dedicated to advocating for diversity, equality, and social justice. Before studying law, Joanne led the operations and executive support for the Managing Director’s Office at the ABC. In that role, she worked closely with senior leadership on strategy, governance and public accountability. Experience that has shaped her understanding of integrity, fairness, and the importance of serving the public interest. Joanne holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts, a Master of Arts Business Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Law, and is soon to graduate with a Juris Doctor from UTS.

With more than a decade of experience across media with organisations such as the ABC, SBS and Screen NSW, Joanne is known for her composure, care, and strategic approach. She brings to her legal practice the same dedication and professionalism that defined her executive career, ensuring clients feel informed, supported and empowered.

Throughout her career, Joanne has been a passionate advocate for gender equity and inclusion. At the ABC, she was instrumental in establishing the organisation’s Gender Equity Network and played a leading role with Women in Media, building communities and safe spaces for women across the sector.

Purpose-driven and compassionate, Joanne brings a rare combination of executive experience and advocacy to her work at Dowson Turco Lawyers. She is very proud to be part of a firm that shares her passion and commitment to standing up for people, fairness, and the public interest.

Cloris Guan

Paralegal

Cloris is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Studies at the University of Technology Sydney. She is passionate about human rights and social justice, and has been involved in international advocacy spaces, including Model United Nations in Germany.

Cloris was drawn to Dowson Turco Lawyers for its strong commitment to equality, inclusion, and community. She is especially interested in how the law can better serve culturally diverse, vulnerable, and LGBTQA+ communities.

Cloris primarily works in the wills and estates and family law teams, assisting with client communication, legal research, and matter management. She is committed to approaching her work with compassion and contributing to an inclusive legal environment for all.

Maria Kiourkas

Paralegal

Meet one of our new gun paralegals, Maria Kiourkas. Maria is a student of Psychology and Law at the University of NSW.

From a young age, Maria has had a single career goal, to be an actor in the areas of human rights and criminal and social justice. Maria came to DTL to help realise this goal by being surrounded by like-minded individuals who make efforts every day to create a more just society, with a strong emphasis on supporting queer and other minority communities. Her driving desire is to be an advocate, doing her part to make the law more accessible for all while defending and advancing people’s fundamental rights.

Maria is a twin, so the values of cooperation and teamwork as well as a deep sense of empathy have been instilled in her since birth. These are qualities Maria has built on throughout her life and will continue to do so at DTL with the Crime and Litigation teams.

Cynthia (Maxie) Caringal

Administration assistant

With a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from a prestigious foreign university, Maxie is an integral member of DTL’s admin and accounts team. She has excellent skills in financial reporting and proficiency using a variety of accounting software. She provides invaluable support to the team, with a passion for coordinating team members to meet targets as well as providing exceptional customer service to ensure client satisfaction. She has a talent for streamlining systems and processes and improving office workflows.

Maxie supports and embraces diversity in all its forms, including LGBTQA+ and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She is deeply invested in fostering positive relationships and a welcoming environment in the office, and does this by enthusiastically approaching challenges and coming up with creative solutions. She is committed to staying updated on industry trends and expanding her skills to best support our organisation.

Alicia Charette

OFFICE MANAGER

Alicia brings a dynamic blend of administrative prowess and a passion for social justice to the admin team at Dowson Turco. With a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Criminology from the University of Sydney, Alicia has developed a keen understanding of the criminal justice system and the barriers to justice and equity for marginalised communities. Driven by a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Alicia was eager to join DTL due to its dedication to serving the LGBTQA+ community.

In her role as Office Manager, Alicia handles a wide range of administrative tasks. From supporting the accounts team to managing DTL’s online presence and client communications, Alicia helps ensure that our office and operations run smoothly and efficiently. With her unique blend of administrative skills, academic background in criminology, and passion for advocacy, Alicia is an asset to the DTL team, embodying the values and spirit of our firm’s mission to serve and empower all communities.